SEVERAL coastal areas in the Province of Bataan have been found positive for the red tide toxin.
The Shellfish Bulletin 22 Series of 2020 dated October 19, 2020 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the coastal waters of Bataan, particularly Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal were found positive for red tide.
This means that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not for human consumption.
"The public is advised to refrain from eating, gathering or harvesting, transporting and marketing shellfish from the coastal waters of Bataan until such time that the toxicity level has gone below the regulatory limit," BFAR officer-in-charge Director Juan Albaladejo said in an advisory released Monday.
Laboratory results showed that shellfish samples collected in the coastal waters of Bataan have 451.41 unit grams of Saxotoxin per 100 grams of shellfish meat, which is beyond the regulatory limit of 60 unit grams of Saxotoxin per 100 grams.
Albaladejo, however, said that fish harvested in the identified areas are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
He said BFAR and the Provincial Government of Bataan are continuously monitoring the affected areas to safeguard public health and protect the fishery industry.
Other areas of concern, based on the latest laboratory results of the BFAR and local government units (LGUs), include shellfishes collected in Puerto Princesa Bay, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga and Irong-irong and San Pedro Bays in Western Samar; Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental; and Lianga Bay and coastal waters of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur which are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
Also, coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan are now positive for red tide toxin.